Carolyn Arnold - McKinley 03 - Money is Murder by Carolyn Arnold Read Free Book Online Page B

beeped to life.
    “Please, have a seat.” He gestured to a lounge area that consisted of a black leather couch and two matching chairs.
    Sean and Sara sat on the couch.
    “Either of you care for a drink? She had a loaded bar.”
    “Mr. Cranston, it’s nine thirty in the morning.” Sean watched the man pace the room.
    “Yes, you’re right.” Edward settled in one of the chairs. His expression fell somber. “It’s best you stay away from Robert West.”
    Sara leaned forward. “What do you mean?”
    He looked at her. “Just that. He’s a dangerous man.”
    “Yet he’s on your staff?” Sean pointed out the obvious.
    “He is, but like I said, he’s locked in. Without significant loss to the company we can’t terminate the contract.”
    “I’m sure there are enough funds to get rid of someone, if you felt inclined.”
    He turned to Sara. “Yesterday you mentioned it was a tragedy that Cindy died before she had a chance to get married. I should have told you then, but Cindy was married to Robert for a time.”
    “Then why didn’t you?”
    “I was hoping it wouldn’t be necessary.” Edward rubbed his hands together. They were dry and made a brushing noise as he did so. “I know you used to be cops. Murder detectives, right?”
    Both of them nodded.
    “The circumstances surrounding Cindy’s death are questionable.”
    “I find it interesting you say that.” Sara traced his facial features with her eyes.
    “Cindy wasn’t depressed. She was on top of her game. She had just graduated with her fancy business diplomas and was a natural for the job. Like I told you, she put others to shame.”
    Sean glanced over at Sara. She met his gaze. That was one grouping they had forgotten to include in their list. He recalled her mentioning the conversation with Paul Moses.
    “Was anyone on staff more upset than the others?”
    “Robert took it the hardest. See, when Cindy came on, she brought in Robert. It was rumored around the company that she told people she felt sorry for him, but Robert had his own business background. Sean, you met him. He was twelve years Cindy’s senior. He had lived life and worked hard to get to where he was, and then a young wife puts him in his place.”
    “She used her power and money to demean her own husband. No wonder the marriage failed,” Sara said.
    Edward shook his head. “Robert never would have left her. She ended things.”
    “Oh.”
    “Yes.” Edward let the one word sink in the air. “It’s really best you leave her death alone.”
    “How did you know we were looking into it?” Sara asked.
    “Mr. Quinn came to me not long after Cindy died. He said it didn’t sit well with him, that he was going to remove Robert from the Will, and that he should have done so sooner. He pushed hard for the police to arrest Robert. He felt the man killed his daughter. You know how the rest turned out. Anyway with your background, and unlimited resources, it would make sense he’d ask you to pick up where he left off.”
    Sean nodded. “Yes, it does.”
    “Here, take this.” Edward extended a keycard. “This will give you access to any room in the building. Sara, I’ll get one made for you.”
    “That would be wonderful, but we’re not going to get in your way here.”
    “You never would be. Please, feel free to roam as you wish. This is your company, after all. Just be careful.”
    “You really don’t think she killed herself, do you?”
    “As I mentioned, no, I think she was murdered and it’s likely someone from within these walls is behind it. And if you ask me, I think it’s her death that killed Mr. Quinn.”

 
     

     
    Strange Happenings
     
    EDWARD CRANSTON EXCUSED HIMSELF AND left them with passwords to login to Cindy ’s computer.
    Sara sat behind the desk. “I don’t even really know what I’m looking for. Edward is certain it’s an employee at Universal. Paul Moses mentioned that she excelled at acquisitions.”
    “What if she took a generational